Deadly Envy

Detective Sarah Spillman #12

by Renee Pawlish

The Dark Side of InfluenceWhen popular food critic Piper Randall is gunned down outside a Denver restaurant, homicide detective Sarah Spillman is thrust into a case where envy is on the menu and revenge is served cold.

The internet influencer's rise to fame made Piper plenty of enemies—from chefs with bruised egos, to family and friends who harbor dark secrets, to others craving the spotlight. But when Sarah begins unraveling Piper's carefully curated life, she discovers that every answer leads to more questions.

And if Sarah doesn't uncover the truth soon, the killer may decide one body isn't enough—especially when Sarah starts asking the wrong people the right questions.

303 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 20, 2025

About the author

From the time she was ten and tried to write her own detective series in the fashion of the Hardy Boys, Renée Pawlish has been developing her craft. Along with creative writing classes, Renée studied great writers like Dashiell Hammett, Rex Stout, Stephen King, Sue Grafton and many more. Once Renée graduated from college, she began her first novel. Now, all these years later, she has penned numerous books in a variety of genres.

Renée was born in California, but has lived most of her life in Colorado. When she's not hiking, cycling, or chasing ballplayers for autographs, she is writing mysteries and thrillers. She also has some middle grade novels waiting to be published.

Renée loves to travel and has visited numerous countries around the world. She has also spent many summer days at her parents' cabin in the hills outside of Boulder, which was the inspiration for the setting of Taylor Crossing in her novel Nephilim: Genesis of Evil.

The Reed Ferguson Mystery Series
This Doesn't Happen In The Movies
Reel Estate Rip-off

The Nephilim Trilogy
Nephilim Genesis of Evil
Books Two and Three soon to be released

The Noah Winter YA Adventure Series
The Emerald Quest

Take Five
A short story collection that includes a Reed Ferguson tale.

The Sallie House: Exposing the Beast Within
A non-fiction book about one of the most haunted houses in America.

To learn more you can follow her on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/reneepawlish....

on her blog:
http://tobecomeawriter.wordpress.com/

on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/reneepawlish

Reviews

[Patricia A. Gross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deadly Envy, a Sarah Spillman mystery is the best yet! I foolish thought I had finally figured out whodunit in a Renee Pawlish book. Silly me! She gives you clues rather than hitting you in the face with obvious events pointing out the murderer. When a food critic is murdered in an alley behind a restaurant, Sarah and her team are on the case. As more info is gathered, more possibilities arise. Was it one of the restaurant owners who received a bad review or one of the people who wrote restaurant reviews that were less popular. Or perhaps her sister who seemed jealous of Piper's success? Maybe a friend? Pawlish keeps you guessing all the way. This series is amazing and I am looking forward to the next installment. Pawlish has several series and I highly recommend them all. This book stands alone, but there are references to previous cases and events none of which would spoil an earlier book for the reader.

[Albert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spillman is back and better than ever
This is the return of Sarah Spillman, a homicide detective in Colorado. She has been given a new investigation after a previous one was not successfully resolved. Sarah is determined to make up for what she considers her failure.
This leads to an investigation the killing of a young woman in an alley behind a restaurant. Few clues are available and it looks like a lot of legwork ahead.
The story follow Sarah and her partners in their investigation of this murder and gives a peek into how the homicide department works. Sounds boring, but Ms. Pawlish uses her storytelling ability to involve and entice the reader. I find myself drawn into the story.
Highly recommend this return by Ms. Pawlish to one of my favorite characters she has come up with.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deadly Envy (Detective Sarah Spillman Mystery Series Book 12), my seventieth read from author Renee Pawlish. Spillman is her oldest character other than Reed Ferguson, serving as a contact & secondary character in Reed's early books, waiting patiently until being given her own book and ultimately a series. This edition of Detective Spillman takes her on the killing of a young woman, after all she is a homicide detective. As Pawlish expands her writings over 4 primary characters it has improved all four. A Renee Pawlish book is like a visit with an old friend. “I received a complementary Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I look forward to the next book in this series as well as anything written by her. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

[Sheree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Renee Pawlish has done it again. Deadly Envy is a tightly written story that keeps you deep in your reading spot, racing through the pages and sifting through the hints trying to figure out 'whodunit'.

Detective Sarah Spillman is still haunted by her previous case where the decidedly guilty man got off Scot- free. Will this case end in a similar way, with the guilty person not caught? There aren't obvious clues pointing to a particular person and many she looks at are sketchy in their own ways, making it even more challenging to focus on a suspect.

I've really enjoyed the character development in the series, getting to know the thought process and quirks of each 'person', as well as the crime story we are taken on.

[Janet Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's a Reason They're Called 'Deadly Sins'
This book is the 12th in a series. I find it nicer to read a series in order, but that isn't totally necessary in this case. Each book is a completed case. The personal stories evolve throughout the series. All of these are clean stories with no foul language, no gore, only necessary violence, and just inferred intimacy. This series takes place in the Greater Denver area, which may appeal to those familiar with the area. In this story, a restaurant blogger-critic is found dead with plenty of folks who didn't like her. Worse, all of the suspects are liars and act guilty. It is a very good story, and the ending really surprised me! I enjoy this author and this series.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deadly Envy is the latest Detective Sarah Spillman Mystery by Renee Pawlish. When a social media food critic is found murdered in the alley behind a Denver restaurant, Sarah and her team have a lot of work to do. The murder was called in to 911 by the owner of the restaurant who becomes a person of interest when they find the critic'a review of his restaurant. But as the investigation digs deeper, family, friends and neighbors join the list of possible suspects. The pace is a little slow but the reader is kept guessing to the very end. Looking for a summer beach read, pick up your copy now.

[Peg Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

While still reeling from a recent case where a likely suspect gets away with murder,Sarah Spillman is thrown back into the role as chief homicide detective for another murder. Piper Randall, a renown food critic with a huge internet following, is murdered in an alley behind one of the restaurants she has reviewed. Her reviews are not always positive - she tells it like it is. Was Piper’s murder the result of envy or revenge? The suspects and lies continue to mount. Deadly Envy will keep you guessing!

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great one

Regardless of how down and out Sarah may be about her last case, she puts this one together in her get it done way. It's nice to see all the family relationships doing well also. The Sarah Spillman books can be read as standalones but to really get a feel for all the main players, I recommend you start at the beginning. If you like Sarah Spillman you will also like the Jo Gunning series.

[Cheryl Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is one that keeps you engrossed. This book is no exception. If you like a female lead who keeps everyone on their toes you will love this book. The book had me from the start and had twists and turns that kept me guessing until the end. Love the other characters in the book and love how they interact with each other! Another great book by a great author!

[Jim Flagg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another great book in this series. The characters are very well developed and very believable. There are twists and turns to keep the reader guessing and reading. This book could be read as a stand alone book but, the reader would have a better understanding of the main characters if the series is read in order. I will be waiting for the next book.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Sarah Spillman story is another super good one. Great red hearings. I thought I had it figured out, but Pawlish knows what she's doing when she writes, and I was wrong, again!
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I actually enjoy all of Ms Pawlish's books!

[Dianne Biscoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah has a new case after not being able to prove who caused the suicide in her last one, and she is really pushing herself to solve this one. Interesting list of suspects in this new murder, but who truly did it?
Great book with lots of tension!

[Barry Weisbord · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in the series. Lots of twists and turns keep you guessing who killed the food blogger. Not only is the mystery solved but you feel like part of the family. This book kept me engrossed.

[Bettie A Covington · Rating 5 out of 5]

I prefer not to know who the killer is until the end. Pawlish did a good job in this book. I also appreciated the subplot of additional crime. Everyone worries about Sarah's mental health. If she is charge, maybe she should be more stoic.

[Russ Leavitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good storyline

[Nora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book! Looking to find more books in this series!